This epic Vegan Lemon Lavender Cake starts with a moist and delicious lemon and lavender flavored cake filled with layers of eggless lemon curd and dairy-free lemon lavender frosting. Then, it gets lightly frosted and topped with dried lemons & dried lavender for a beautiful and delicious vegan layer cake!
Wow, I can't believe I'm 30! I could say a lot about my 20's, but by far my favorite memory was starting SGTO! To celebrate, I decided to make this decadent vegan lemon layer lake!
While my 20's were full of lots of fun and adventure, you better believe my 30's will be filled with LOTS more vegan cakes & lemon-flavored desserts!
As you all may remember, I made my very first layer cake for SGTO's 2 year anniversary- the best Vegan Funfetti Cake!
The steps to make this cake are very similar. However, we are making this lemon layer cake with a lemon curd filling using my Vegan Lemon Curd recipe for a lemony twist. Plus, you all must remember my Vegan Lemon Lavender Donuts which are the true inspiration behind this epic flavor combo!
Steps to make a lemon lavender cake
Make the lemon lavender cakes
For this recipe, I decided to stick to 3 6-inch cake layers using 6-inch cake pans. It makes the perfect amount of cake for 8-10 people!
First, make the lemon lavender cake batter and bake the cakes. Then, flip onto a wire rack to rest until completely cool.
While you can frost cakes at this point, I actually prefer to wrap each dairy-free lemon cake layer in plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge overnight. Wrapping it in plastic wrap helps to seal in the moisture so the lemon cake will stay moist even in the fridge.
Make the lemon curd
My Vegan Lemon Curd is best made a day ahead of time, so I like to make it while the lemon cake is cooling. This step is totally optional, but if you decide to make it the recipe and instructions are in that blog post!
The most important thing to remember is the eggless lemon curd must sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours (and ideally 12-24) before using so it's firmed up enough to add to the cake. Otherwise, it will be too runny and warm to add to this lavender cake recipe.
Make the lemon lavender frosting
The next day, make the vegan lemon lavender buttercream!
This recipe is based on the vanilla frosting that I used in my Lemon Olive Oil Cupcakes. However, we are adding fresh lemon juice and lavender paste in place of vanilla.
Make sure to cream the butter and shortening first to remove any clumps and always sift powdered sugar for the fluffiest vegan frosting!
How to assemble a lemon layer cake
Now that we have the vegan lemon lavender cakes, lemon lavender frosting, and lemon curd cake filling prepped, the last step is to assemble the cake.
Start by adding a layer of parchment paper to a cake turntable or cake stand so the cake doesn't stick. This is crucial or it will be really hard to move the cake to a cake stand or cut slices. Then, add the first layer of cake to the stand with parchment paper.
Add on about ⅓-1/2 cup frosting and spread evenly to coat the cake. Then, use a piping bag to add a border of frosting to the edge of the cake. This helps to prevent the lemon curd from spilling out. Finish it off by spreading about 2 Tbsp of lemon curd in the center.
Then, follow these same steps with the second layer!
To put it all together add another ½ cup of frosting to the top of the cake and smooth. Then, frost the outside of the cake with a "crumb coat" layer.
At this point, you can keep the cake lightly frosted for a naked cake style as I did or add more frosting for a fully frosted cake.
If you want a cake with more frosting. Simply add the cake with the crumb coat to the fridge and let sit for 30 minutes. Then, remove and keep adding frosting until frosted to the desired amount! If you do this, you'll need about ½ cup more frosting than the recipe includes.
FAQ & Substitutions:
I personally have not tried it, but I've had great success using Bob's Red Mill 1:1 GF flour and would recommend only trying this recipe with a 1:1 GF flour mix. Please keep in mind, using any flour alternative like almond, coconut, or cassava flour would not work in this cake recipe.
Definitely! The lavender paste gives this cake a very subtle lavender flavor. However, you can use dried lavender, grind it or blend it, and then add it to the sugar used in the lemon lavender cakes.
There isn't a good lavender substitute for the frosting, so I would skip it in the frosting if you can't find lavender paste. I do want to note, the lavender flavor is this cake is VERY subtle, but it perfectly compliments the more intense lemon flavor!
Vegan shortening makes this frosting MUCH smoother and fluffier compared to just using vegan butter. However, it can also easily be subbed 1:1 for more vegan butter.
If you want to avoid palm oil altogether, I recommend using Miyokos vegan butter, however, I used Earth Balance.
Here are the 6-inch cake pans I used to make this recipe.
My #1 tip is always to use a lighter-colored cake pan (not black) as a darker cake pan could potentially burn your cake because they absorb heat more quickly.
The best way to store leftover cake is to slice it and store it in a closed container between sheets of parchment paper in the freezer. Vegan cake can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month and just needs to be defrosted at room temperature for 30 minutes-1 hour before eating again.
This is the BEST way to preserve the moist texture of the cake.
If you are going to eat the leftover cake within 1-2 days, you can also store it in the fridge, but make sure to store it unsliced and wrap any exposed cake in plastic wrap or the fridge will dry the cake out.
I truly hope you all love this Vegan Lemon Lavender Cake with lemon curd & lemon lavender buttercream frosting! It's officially tied with my Vegan Cookie Cake for the best Birthday cake ever! Honestly, I think it'd make a pretty amazing homemade bridal shower, wedding, or baby shower cake too. Enjoy!
-TSG
More vegan cake & cupcake recipes you will love:
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Vegan Lemon Lavender Cake
Ingredients
Lemon Lavender Cake
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup oat milk
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¾ cup organic sugar
- ⅓ cup lemon juice the juice of about 2 lemons
- 1 ½ teaspoon lavender paste
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest or zest of 1 lemon
Cake filling & frosting
- 4 Tablespoons vegan lemon curd
- 1 cup vegan butter room temperature
- ½ cup shortening
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lavender paste optional
- 2 ½- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
Garnishes
- 6-8 dried lemon slices optional
- edible dried lavender optional
Instructions
Make the Lemon Lavender Cakes & Lemon Curd:
- First, make the lemon lavender cakes (ideally the day before frosting and serving). To prep, line 3 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper on the bottom and grease the sides of the pans. Set aside and preheat the oven to 350F.
- Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a small bowl and sift together. Set aside.
- Next, add the oat milk, olive oil, organic sugar, lemon juice, lavender paste, and lemon zest to a large mixing bowl and gently whisk together.
- Once mixed, add in the sifted dry ingredients and mix together JUST until a batter forms and all streaks of flour are gone. It is important to NOT overmix the cake batter or too much gluten will form.
- Pour the batter evenly into the 3 parchment-lined cake pans. Before baking, lightly tap each pan on the counter to release any large air bubbles and even out the batter. Then, add the cakes to the oven and bake for 28-30 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned on top.
- Remove the cakes and let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Run a knife along the edge of each pan to loosen any cake that may be stuck. Then, flip each cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, make the lemon curd and then add to the fridge to set for at least 2 hours before using.
- Once the cakes have cooled, you can frost them. However, I strongly recommend making the cakes a day ahead of time, wrapping each cake in plastic wrap, and storing in the fridge for 12-24 hours before frosting.
The next day, make the frosting:
- To make the frosting, first add the room temperature vegan butter and shortening to a mixing bowl and whip together until all clumps are gone and the ingredients are fluffy (about 5 minutes). Then, add in the lemon juice and lavender paste and whip into the frosting for about 30 seconds.
- Next, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar ½ cup at a time and whip together until the frosting has reached the desired sweetness level. I prefer 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, but feel free to add more for a sweeter frosting.
- Once all the powdered sugar has been added, continue to whip the frosting for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Then, set aside and remove the cakes and lemon curd from the fridge to frost & assemble the cake.
Frost & Assemble the Cake:
- First, add a layer of parchment paper to a cake turntable and top with the first 6-inch cake. Add about ⅓-1/2 cup of vegan frosting on top and use a cake spatula to evenly smooth this frosting on top.
- Next, use a piping bag filled with frosting to form a border of frosting along the edge of the cake. Once the border is on, fill the center with 2 Tbsp of vegan lemon curd and spread evenly over the frosting, making sure not to add on top of the frosting border.
- Continue this process with the next layer of cake. Then, add ½ cup of frosting to the top of the cake and smooth
- Next, add on the crumb coat of frosting. Add a light layer of frosting to the sides of the cake, making sure to fill in the gaps between layers with frosting. Then, use a cake scraper to smooth it out.
- Once the crumb coat is complete, add the cake back to the fridge and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This cake is a "naked cake" meaning it only has a crumb coat layer of frosting, but feel free to add more frosting if you wish.
- After 30 minutes, remove the cake from the fridge and garnish as desired. I used dried lemon slices and dried lavender. Then, cut into 10-12 slices and serve!
Elizabeth Gonzalez says
I would like to you this recipe but as cupcakes instead of one whole cake. What would be the appropriate temperature to bake them and for how long?
Megan says
I'm not sure exactly how many cupcakes this recipe would make, but you'd want to fill each cupcake liner until 2/3 full and bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes (20 minutes tends to be the sweet spot of baking time for cupcakes). I also have a recipe for lemon olive oil cupcakes on my blog here: https://shortgirltallorder.com/vegan-lemon-olive-oil-cupcakes-with-vanilla-frosting where you could swap out the vanilla for lavender. Hope that helps!
ShrewTea says
Can i use lavendar extract instead of lavender paste, if yes, what would be the approximate measurements for this recipe?
Megan says
Lavender extract should be fine 1:1 as long as it is one made for culinary purposes.
ShrewTea says
Thank you for your reply! Yes, I'm making my own extract using dried lavendar tea and vodka
Megan says
That should work perfectly then 🙂
Parul says
Thank you for your response. I bought the pans and paste. I am going to make it for my daughter's birthday. Wish me good luck.
I am going to make cream cheese frosting as she doesn't like buttercream.
Parul says
where do you find lavender paste ?
Wha is crumb coat frosting ?
How do I make lemon curd ?
I have a 9 x13 and 8x 8 cake pans
What adjustments do I make to bake this cake using any of this pans
Megan Horowitch says
I linked the lavender paste I used in the blog post and included pictures showing what a crumb coat looks like. A crumb coat is essentially the first layer of frosting. If you're doing a naked style cake, then you only do a crumb coat. Unfortunately I don't know how to adjust this cake for the pans you have as I haven't tested it, but here's an article to read if you want to try and adapt it: https://food52.com/blog/13239-how-to-make-your-baking-recipe-fit-your-pan-size
Indira Grullon says
I made this cake for my daughters first birthday. From the lemon curd to the icing it was a hit! I’m not sure how I was even able to make this cake because I’m a terrible baker! However, it came out wonderful! I made extra cake layers in case I screwed up. The one note I’d make is the icing was not my favorite, and I think it had to do with the fact that I did not let the butter get to room temp so it did not fluff and I didn’t have enough powdered sugar. I’m making it again this weekend and crossing fingers it comes out as good if not better!
Deborah says
You say shortening what is this in the UK ?? Please
Megan Horowitch says
I’m not sure what it is in the UK but here it is palm oil. You can also sub vegan butter 1:1 for shortening in any of my frosting recipes! Also this article may help 🙂 https://www.nigella.com/ask/vegetable-shortening-substitute